Groundbreaking Set for Hawaii Community College’s New Kona Campus

A groundbreaking will be held next week for the new community college campus in Kona.

The ceremony for Hawaii Community College – Palamanui will be held at noon Tuesday, May 28, at the campus site mauka of Kona International Airport.

The state has provided nearly $15 million for the school which is being developed through an agreement with Palamanui LLC, a partnership between Hunt Companies and Charles R. Schwab, which has committed nearly $20 million for the project.

Palamanui LLC has agreed to partially fund construction of the 78-acre campus as part of its approvals for a 725-acre development.

The bidding process was completed in April for the $24 million first phase which includes the school’s Culinary Arts Building and the Health Science and Student Services Building.

Construction will cover approximately 24,000 square feet and will include new classrooms, learning kitchens, and science laboratories.

The school, an extension of Hawaii Community College in Hilo, will be the 11th permanent campus in the University of Hawaii system.